Reproduction of your worm.

Under ideal conditions your worms can double in volume every 90 days. The average incubation period for our worms is between 30 and 80 days, depending on environmental conditions. Once the new worms hatch, it'll take them 8 to 10 weeks to become sexually mature and begin producing cocoons...and the cycle continues, on and on. Your poundage should double every 3 to 4 months, as long as they have adequate space, food, moisture, and bin temperatures.

A sexually mature worm will always be 'banded'(see the mature/immature photo at bottom of page),the ring, or band on the mature worm is called the clitellum. When two worms mate, they each go off and deposit egg capsules. Each capsule will contain one to 20 young, but the average survival rate is between three and four per capsule. The newly deposited egg will look like a small lemon, and be pale in color; as the blood supply increases, the color will deepen, and can be nearly black before hatching.

Reproduction Rates By Species
( According to Ms.Kelly Slocum..... )

Following are the maximum reproductive rates of a few worm species under ideal conditions, and their environmental requirements:

Eisenia fetida (foetida)/Eisenia andrei Common names: redworm, tiger worm, manure worm

Maximum reproduction under ideal condtions:
3.8 cocoons per adult per week
83.2% hatching success rate
3.3 hatchlings per cocoon
Net reproduction of 10.4 young per adult per week

Maximum growth rate under ideal conditions:
32-73 days to cocoon hatch
53-76 days to sexual maturity
85-149 days from egg to maturity

Heat tolerance is dependant on moisture level E. fetida is extremely tolerant of environmental fluctuation and handling and is the species identified by research as the most effective for vermicomposting in the widest range of feedstock’s and environments.

Perionyx excavatus , Common names: blue worm, Indian blue, Malaysian blue, Spike tail.

Maximum reproduction under ideal conditions:
19.5 cocoons per adult per week
90.7% hatching success rate
1.1 hatchlings per cocoon
Net reproduction of 19.4 young per adult per week

Maximum growth rate under ideal conditions:
16-21 days to cocoon hatch
29-55 days to sexual maturity
45-76 days from egg to maturity

Heat tolerance is dependant on moisture level P. excavatus cannot tolerate cold temps for even brief periods of time and does not tolerate environmental fluctuation or handling. It is most frequently used in tropical regions where it is naturalized and is found naturally only in areas along the gulf coast of the US. If used in most areas of north America this worm requires temperature controlled environments.

Eudrilus eugeniae , Common names: African night crawler, giant night crawler

Maximum reproduction under ideal conditions:
3.6 cocoons per adult per week
81% hatching success rate
2.3 hatchlings per cocoon
Net reproduction of 6.7 young per adult per week

Maximum growth rate under ideal conditions:
13-27 days to cocoon hatch
32-95 days to sexual maturity
43-122 days from egg to maturity

Heat tolerance is dependant on moisture level. This worm species is a very large worm that is often grown for bait. It requires a temperature controlled environment in most areas of north America as it cannot tolerate cold for even brief periods and does not tolerate handling.

Eisenia hortensis (Dendrobaena veneta) , Common names: Belgian night crawler, European night crawler

Maximum reproduction under ideal conditions:
1.6 cocoons per adult per week
81.2% hatching success rate
1.1 hatchlings per cocoon
Net reproduction of 1.4 young per adult per week

Maximum growth rate under ideal conditions:
40-128 days to cocoon hatch
57-86 days to sexual maturity
97-214 days from egg to maturity

Heat tolerance is dependant on moisture level. This worm is very tolerant of environmental fluctuation and handling, but has a slower reproductive rate and requires very high moisture levels, relative to other worm species.

Source :- http://www.bonterra.net/ , photos by :- Amy Weishuhn